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Washroom fire at CKSS

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Quick work was completed to get Chatham-Kent Secondary School back in operation after a fire was deliberately set in a washroom on Wednesday.

Principal Todd Haskell told The Chatham Daily News: “The board maintenance staff was here right away and crews worked all night the clean the building and improve the air quality. So you would never know anything happened.”

Emergency crews were called to the north Chatham high school around 1:30 p.m. about a fire alarm.

Police said heavy smoke was seen coming from the east side of the building, originating from a men's washroom.

Investigators determined that a toilet paper roll dispenser has been sent on fire, causing an estimated $7,500 damage.

Police are treating this as an arson investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Const. Rob Herder at 436-6600 ext. 8676 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

“For the most part, the school's back to normal,” Haskell said.

He noted the men's washroom, where the arson occurred will remain closed until an upgrade is completed, which includes replacing the washroom stall and applying a new coat of paint.

Officials said, fortunately, no students or staff were injured during the incident.

Haskell said the entire school can be evacuated in less than one-minute, 40 seconds.

“We reacted appropriately to the circumstances,” he said, adding the school's emergency plan went smoothly, and everyone was very co-operative and patient.

“We practise our emergency response drills continuously and, as a result, when something does happen, it's reassuring to know our staff and students reacted in such a positive manner,” Haskell said.

’BURG TEEN CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT

WALLACEBURG – A female youth has been arrested in Wallaceburg in connection with a criminal harassment investigation.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service launched a harassment investigation in early August after a victim reported another female was verbally harassing her.

Officers spoke to the female involved and warned her that her actions could lead to criminal charges.

The 15-year-old victim called police on Sept. 9 to report she was still being verbally harassed and that the female had pushed her at school.

A 15-year-old Wallaceburg female was arrested Wednesday and charged with criminal harassment and assault.

She was later released with conditions pending a future court date.

KNIFE SEIZED, MAN ARRESTED

A 47-year-old Harwich man was charged early Wednesday morning with having a blood alcohol limit exceeding the legal limit and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police were called to a disturbance on King St. W. shortly after 2 a.m.

Officers learned that a man being confrontational was in possession of a hunting knife.

The man and his truck were spotted a short time later on Fourth Street and after being stopped police believed he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police transported the man to police headquarters for further breath tests and seized a large, black hunting knife from his possession.

PEACE SERVICE

A Chatham-Kent peace officers memorial service will take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Praise Fellowship Church on Park Avenue East.

The service will honour the lives of three fallen Canadian police officers who have died in the line of duty during the past year.